The Fight for Air Superiority

In the first World War, planes were introduced into the battle as a way of bombing and aerial reconnaissance. They were new to the scene of war but brought significant changes to warfare. They could bomb cities and factories, aiding the ground troops and hindering enemy ground troops. However, the earliest warplanes were slow and very rudimentary. They could fly at a maximum speed of 100 miles per hour and their guns could only shoot 200 yards, meaning air to air combat was limited. It wasn't until the second World War that the fighters got more powerful engines, guns, and new communication equipment.

Entering the second World War, planes were flying 400 miles per hour with guns able to shoot 600-700 yards and some could even fly as high up as 30000 feet. Along with new planes came new flying techniques and new tactics. One tactic, adopted from the Germans by the US, was called the Finger-four, where pilots would fly 200 yards apart in a loose line abreast pair. Diving out from the sun still proved effective but there were new ways of countering that. An alert pilot would be able to do a rudder reverse, going into a snap roll. This maneuver would put the diving plane at risk as the intended victim was going to be right on his tail. This maneuver, however, was limited to agile planes such as the famous  British Spitfire and the Japanese Zero. Planes who could escape from the dive were the German Bf-109's and the American P-47's. During the day, planes would contact ground control to which would help pilots find enemy planes that couldn't be spotted by the naked eye. At night, however, things were different. Planes were not spotted till they were a couple hundred yards away from each other. It was not until planes had radar mounted on them that they could fight at night. Planes were also used for bombing runs. British Spitfires, Mosquitos, U.S. P-51 Mustangs, and P-38 Lightnings flew very low to avoid radar detection and bombed and strafed countless airfields and infantry columns. Night bombings were easier because there was a lowered threat until planes were fitted with radar. 

Nearing the end of the war, jet planes were introduced. The Germans Me-262 was introduced when it was attacking the allies escorting bombers. The new planes reached speeds up to 741 miles per hour at sea level and 659 at 50000 feet. The planes were also fitted with advanced electronics which removed the task of early warning from the pilot’s eye and guided missiles extended the range of aerial combat, at least in theory, to beyond visual range. The planes in warfare began from being insignificant to being an integral part of warfare. They changed how wars were fought and extended the range of warfare with faster flying planes and long-range guns.

British Spitfire:

Japanese Zero:

German Me-262:

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messerschmitt_Me_262

https://www.britannica.com/topic/air-warfare/Strategic-bombing

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supermarine_Spitfire

https://www.historynet.com/myth-of-the-zero.htm